Josephine Breitkreuz (nee Nedecky)

Born November 7, 1939, in Michalok, Czechoslovakia, passed away peacefully on March 14, 2025, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, at the age of 85, surrounded by her loving family.

Josephine, known to many as Josie, was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She is predeceased by her parents, Viktor and Emilia; her brother Peter; her brother-in-law Frank; and her son-in-law Darnley.

She will be deeply missed by her husband of 65 years, Art; her children Monica, Linda, and Rob (Indi); her grandchildren Kirsten (Francesco), Bradyn (Simone), Marquesa (Gil), Keanna (Tam), Amiya, Nali and Jordan (Sheikher); and her great-grandchildren Mila and Dahlia. Josie also leaves behind her siblings Monica, John (Marcia), and Frank (Linda); her sister-in-law Mary; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Josie’s life journey began in Michalok, Czechoslovakia. In 1953, she emigrated to Morden, Manitoba from Germany, at the age of 13, along with her parents and siblings, Monica, Peter, and John. Her youngest brother Frank was later born in Morden.

As a teenager, Josie worked as a nanny in Winnipeg Beach before moving to Winnipeg, where she met her future husband, Art. The two were married in 1959, in Morden. Together, they built a life in Winnipeg, raising three children: Monica, Linda, and Rob.

Josie dedicated her life to her family, embracing her role as a loving mother and a devoted wife. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought her immense pride and joy.

A people person at heart, Josie had a gift for connecting with others. She delighted in striking up conversations with strangers, eager to learn about their lives and stories. Her love language was food—an expression of care she shared with family and friends alike. Her kitchen was a source of countless cherished meals, with family favorites including cucumber salad, bean soup, schnitzel, rouladen, french toast and more. Whenever her children returned from trips, they could count on finding homemade meals waiting in their fridge.

Though Josie had a lifelong fear of dogs, she overcame this in her final months, even enjoying visits from family pets and looking forward to them. As she said herself, “It’s never too late to get over your fear of animals!”

The family will honor her life with a service at Thomson "In the Park" ,1291 McGillivray Blvd on March 25, 2025, at 2 p.m. “In lieu of flowers”, donations may be made to Cancer Care Manitoba.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Zhou and staff at the Concordia Clinic as well as the Palliative Care Service staff at St. Boniface Hospital for the support and exceptional care provided to Josie during her illness and final days.

Oma, in the tall grass

By: Keanna Kennington

hushed light on the water, soft hands in the wheat

summer ran golden where our footsteps would meet

you stitched up the sky with your beautiful thread

held storms in your ribs, but sang love in its stead

you carried the weight of a thousand old songs

pressed them in pages, where memories belong

we ran through these fields, never knowing the cost

but you wove us a map so we’d never be lost

and oh how the wind used to hum in your stead

when the night took its shape around the things left unsaid

now I follow the echoes, I hear them so clear

your voice in the air, it’s still calling me near

oma, you taught me the language of rain

how to bend but not break, how to hold onto pain

to love like the river that never runs dry -

and I love like you taught me, I love with my life.